“Extraordinary...Tomlinson’s book is a gem.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Delightful.” —Town & Country

“This book wants to lick your face. Let it.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Tommy Tomlinson comes an inside look at the Westminster dog show, which follows a dog on its quest to become a champion and explores the bond between dogs and humans. Tommy Tomlinson was watching a dog show on TV a few years ago when he had a sudden thought: Are these dogs happy? These questions sparked a search for a deeper understanding of the relationship between dogs and humans that has lasted thousands of years. Dogland shares his surprising, entertaining, and heartwarming adventures.

Tomlinson spends three years on the road, visiting over a hundred competitions across the country, from the heartland of Illinois to Madison Square Garden. Along the way, he is offered kisses and rubs from dogs of nearly every size, shape, and breed. Like a real-life version of the classic parody Best in Show, Dogland follows a champion dog — a Samoyed, Striker — as well as its handler, Laura King, and her dedicated team as they compete at the Westminster Dog Show in 2022.

The entirety of Striker's career had been leading up to this moment. Tomlinson takes us on the long road to glory, bringing the dog-show circuit to life as he witnesses the teams rushing from town to town in pursuit of championship points. Tomlinson's boundless curiosity about people and dogs goes beyond the show scenes and delves into the everyday lives of dogs.

We hear from experts who have discovered new insights into how dogs and humans have bonded — and how this bond has changed over the centuries. We uncover the fascinating origins of different breeds, learn about the intricate breed standards that define an ideal show dog, and examine health issues that may arise in purebred dogs.

We also meet dog enthusiasts who celebrate each dog, regardless of breed, simply for being themselves, like WeRateDogs, the social media phenomenon with millions of followers that celebrates the everyday and funny side of life for many dog owners. With simplicity, charm, and depth, Dogland is an irresistible read that invites us on an entertaining tour behind the curtains of the dog show world — and reveals what truly matters for the happiness of dogs and dog lovers everywhere.

Pages: 256, Year of Publication: 0606, Dimensions: 14x14cm